Curry for your Colon

A study at Johns Hopkins University has found that treatment with curcumin and quercitin, substances in turmeric and onions, substantially reduced the size and number of pre-cancerous polyps in the colon.

Turmeric is called Yu Jin in Chinese. Its actions are to "move the qi and blood" and remove stagnation from inside the body. Stagnation is how Chinese Medicine understands growths such as polyps, cysts and tumours, as well as subjective sensations of stagnation like being 'stuck' or 'full' and conditions such as constipation. Over time, stagnation of Qi (an energetic stagnation that one feels, but there is no physical blockage) can transform into stagnation of 'blood' or 'phlegm' meaning that a real physical blockage has developed. Preventing and dispersing stagnation is a main goal of much Chinese Medicine, through diet, exercise, stress management and acupuncture.

Many of the herbs that Chinese Medicine uses to "move the qi" are pungent and flavourful, and help increase the digestibility of foods and prevent stagnation. I am a big fan of turmeric in cooking. It gives much South Asian food its distinctive colour, flavour and health benefits. I also use it when I make tofu scramble, to give a cheery yellow colour to an egg free breakfast. For festive occasions sautee almonds, raisins and onions in olive oil with turmeric, mix in rice, add water and cook. You will have a beautiful and delicious dish (and polyp reducing too, but try not to mention that at dinner!).

Here is more information about Yu Jin: http://www.herbasin.com/database/yujin.htm

And here is a complete article about the Johns Hopkins study: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060801052004.htm